Novel Biodegradable pH/Thermosensitive Hydrogels: Part 1. Preparation and Characterization.

A series of biodegradable and pH/thermosensitive hydrogels based on monomethoxyl poly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG), poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL), methylacrylic acid (MAA), and N-Isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) were prepared by UV-initiated free radical polymerization method. Swelling behavior and hydrolytic degradable behavior in aqueous medium with different pH values and pH/thermosensitivity of the hydrogels were studied in detail. The prepared biodegradable pH/thermo-sensitive hydrogels based on PCL, MPEG, MAA, and NIPAAm may have great potential application in smart drug delivery system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]